Struggling moms try to give back to Smithville daycare

About half the parents who take their kids to Landmark Christian Daycare in Smithville are single moms, working two jobs or double shifts and still struggling to make ends meet.

SMITHVILLE, MO (KCTV) -

Most parents might say high quality daycare is hard to find and hard to afford.

The average cost of daycare in the United States is nearly $12,000 per year. It is enough to put a strain on any family.

Some single struggling mothers are trying to give back to their nonprofit daycare after it has provided care at little or even no cost to them.

About half the parents who take their kids to Landmark Christian Daycare in Smithville are single moms, working two jobs or double shifts and still struggling to make ends meet.

Many thought they would never be able to repay all they owe. But now, with a little community support, they're hoping they can.

The children at Landmark Christian Daycare are in good hands.

"It was a godsend for me to bring my son here. She was the one who got me through school," said single mom Courtney Brennan.

Brennan is talking about Sandra Snow, the woman in charge of Landmark Christian Daycare.

"She told me that I was going to school, and she wanted to help me out. So I just knew at that point I was extremely grateful," Brennan said.

Many times, Brennan didn't pay a penny for childcare. Her money was turned away. Other parents who take their children to Landmark Christian Daycare get the same break.

"You know, as a parent and a grandparent, I see the struggles of parents looking for affordable daycare and a place they can leave their kids where they feel safe with them," Snow said.

With the focus on the families and the children, other areas of the center have had to wait.

"We don't have a lot, but what we do have here is we have love here. Our kids love us and we love them and I think that's the most important thing," Snow said.

The daycare could really use a new refrigerator because it fills up quickly and is shared with the rest of the church.

The oven and stove unit won't keep a consistent heat. The counters are chipped and mix-matched.

"A couple weeks ago, I was standing in her kitchen and looking around, and I was just like, 'wow, Sandy, wouldn't it be nice if we could get you a new refrigerator, like a double open door, and all the room for all the kids' lunch and food,'" Brennan said.

Brennan talked to other moms who agreed.

"I know if something breaks - refrigerator, stove, anything - it is her paying for it. Not the money we pay her for our children, it is already used - it is already used before she gets it," Jennifer Pease said.

The goal now is to get the daycare new kitchen appliances, giving back to a woman who has never asked for anything in return.

"Sandy had no part of this. It was all me and Jennifer and just wanting help from the community or anyone seeing the story," Brennan said.

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